David Letterman's Extortionist Released Early From Jail, Just in Time for Emmys

TV producer Robert 'Joe' Halderman, who was put in the Rikers Island facility for trying to extort $2 million from Letterman, was released early due to good behavior on Thursday, September 2.

David Letterman's extortionist has been released from jail early. Television producer Robert "Joe" Halderman, who was sentenced on May 4 for trying to extort $2 million from the talk show host over his affair, left the Rikers Island facility in New York on Thursday, September 2. Halderman served only four months of his six months sentence due to good behavior.

Halderman, however, still has 1,000 hours of community service and five-year probation ahead of him. Following Halderman's release, his lawyer Gerald Shargel told People, "He's doing okay. He was fine and expressed appreciation and he is glad it is behind him and that he survived it well and he's looking for work. He's a talented producer."

Shargel further revealed that he still wasn't sure if Halderman will return to Connecticut with his new bride, whom he wed right before he began his jail stint. Though so, Shargel believed that the former CBS' "48 Hours Mystery" producer is keen to get back to his TV work.

Shargel explained, "Yes that's his strength and (in) his field there are plenty of people who have had rocks in the road and got past it and went on to lead (a) meaningful life, and I expect that will happen in his life."

The release itself also came just in time for the 31st Annual News & Documentary Awards, Emmy Awards on September 27. Halderman is one of four producers nominated at the upcoming event for their work on "48 Hours Mystery" about U.S. exchanged student Amanda Knox, who is charged with murder in Italy.

Robert "Joe" Halderman began serving his time in prison in May after pleading guilty to attempted second-degree larceny. According to CNN, Letterman gave Halderman a $2 million check in 2009 through an attorney. Halderman later deposited the money into a Connecticut bank account the day before he was arrested.

Letterman, however, finally went public about the extortion on his CBS show back in October 2009. He also admitted he had affair with female staffers. Meanwhile, during a court hearing in May, Halderman expressed his "great remorse" and apologized to Letterman and his family over his extortion.